Abstract:In supersession of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 1991, with a view to ensure livelihood security to the fisher and other communities living in coastal areas, to conserve and protect coastal stretches the Government of India imposed CRZ notification 2011. The areas such as mangroves, corals, mudflats, national marine parks, salt marshes, turtle nesting grounds, horse shoe crab habitats, sea grass beds, nesting grounds of birds, and archeology and heritage sites were considered as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA) where setting and expansion of industries, operations or processes are restricted. This article aims to critically observe the status of coastal habitats in the light of coastal threats such as habitat loss, coastal pollution and nutrient load, climate change, overexploitation and invasive alien species. Some remedial measures and recommendations for conservation of coastal habitats including strengthening CRZ rules were suggested.

Abstract:In this study, the gross activity of the alpha and beta emitting radionuclides present in the naturally occurring water bodies in the Uranium mineralization zone of Domiasiat, West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India was determined. In our study, the gross radioactivity indicates that the water sample under investigation has a low concentration of both alpha and beta emitters and the activity was less than 0.5Bq/l for alpha activity and 1.0Bq/L for beta activity which is lower compared to the WHO prescribed limit. We estimate that the additional equivalent effective dose derived from water consumption is less than 0.3mSv/yr provided the water consumption for the population is on average, 730litres per inhabitant per year. We estimate that the additional equivalent effective dose derived from water consumption is less than 0.3mSv/yr provided the water consumption for the population is on average, 730litres per inhabitant per year (2L per day)

Abstract:The objective of this study was to investigate the potential for reducing freshwater consumption through recycling, low cost wastewater treatment and beneficial use of sludge of beverage industry at Hattar industrial estate (HIE), Haripur, Pakistan, under the concept of clean technology and water recycling. Samples were collected from end of pipe and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters such as flow rate, temperature, conductivity, odor, chloride, sulfate, sodium and calcium which were found below the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQs), while pH, color, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were found above the NEQs level. The treatment techniques comprised of sedimentation, coagulation and adsorption, were designed for those parameters which were beyond the Pak-NEQs. The optimum doses of coagulants were 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55 ml/l with 5:1 ml alkalinity were identified and removed significant amount of pollution loads. After treatment, the achieved sludge was processed for identification of organic and inorganic contents in terms of their beneficial purposes. The treated water was used for Agriculture, municipal and in industry such as washing of carats, bottles and floor, cooling and other minor activities within the premises of industry.

Abstract:Commercial formulation of pyrethroid insecticide Cypermethrin used in soybean crops was very toxic to four freshwater algae studied causing harmful effects on algal growth and antioxidative defense system level. Recovery from exposure would be seriously affected since Cypermethrin commercial formulation caused algicidal effects. Antioxidant enzymes were significantly stimulated at concentration below LOEC values derived from algal growth inhibition test. The activation of antioxidant enzymes could be used as sensitive biomarkers for early warning of the action of pyrethroid insecticides. This concentration was below measured field concentration of Cypermethrin (0.092 mg Cyp/L) in a stream from a soybean crop area, indicating enzymatic biomarkers could anticipate adverse actions on recovery. Concentrations of commercial formulation which caused algistatic effects on P. subcapitata produced an inhibition of CAT and GR activity, showing oxidative stress damage. The use of insecticides in large areas for growing soybeans is discussed, as toxicity to green algae of formulated Cypermethrin is higher than the others two widely used insecticides, Endosulfan and Chlorpyrifos.

Abstract:Many researches studied the corals rehabilitation using different techniques all over the world and recorded accepted results. The present experiment presents a new technique and methodology (according to the International Patent) for coral reef transplantation and rehabilitation using Electric Arc Furnace-slag as a substrate for the transplanted corals. Slag is composed mainly of iron oxides (38.07-54.73%), calcium oxides (24.49-34.58%) and silicon oxides (10.23-14.71%) as major constituents, which are chemically stable under the oceanographic conditions throughout the experiment time. In addition, a thin calcium carbonate layer was precipitated on the slag surface from the water column. Three sites were selected to evaluate the steel slag efficiency for coral transplantation. 550 branches and fragments of live corals- Acropora, Stylophora, Favia, Favites, Goniastera and Turbinaria were fixed on the slag by epoxy materials to transplant. After 22 months, about 70.18% of the transplanted corals survived. That the percentage was suddenly dropped and decreased to 49.27% after 24 months may be due to the effect of flood, high turbidity, and the raised water temperature. Finally, the study recommended by using steel slag as a suitable substrate for coral transplantation and larval settlements of the different coral types.

Abstract:The Sick Building Syndrome is often related to poor indoor air quality. Healthy indoor environment is needed for a healthy hospital building. Appropriate design elements need to be implemented to accommodate the mass usage of a hospital’s various facilities. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease most commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) which can spread via inhalation of infected aerosols. Therefore, Health Care Workers (HCWs) in a hospital are most vulnerable to TB infection. This paper explicates the sources and factors of TB transmission in the indoor environment of Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (HSAJB). The study considered the relationship between the physical layout of the TB ward and its indoor air environment quality. This study utilized the opinions from HCWs who are directly exposed to this kind of environment. The data were obtained from face-to-face questionnaire surveys. The questionnaire used the Likert Scale with five ordinal measures of agreement. From the study, it was found that the source of TB transmission is from positive MTB carriers or active TB patients. Ten factors that control the indoor air environment sustainability (IAES) of TB ward are relatively connected to space area design of TB ward.

Abstract:Landfill fires are an ongoing, complex global concern as they pose a threat to the environment and human health through the hazardous chemical compounds they emit. They are usually caused deliberately or by spontaneous combustion of decomposing waste involving methane from landfill gas. They are prevalent in the dry season due to hotter temperatures in this period, when there is a greater chance of spontaneous combustion occurring. The danger and level of toxicity of the pollutants emitted depend on the length of exposure to them and the type of material that is burning. The risk posed by these fires is high in Nigeria where landfills are located within residential quarters, lack collection systems for landfill gas and harbour large volume of waste tyres. Of particular health concern are the tyre fires on these fills which burn for a long time allowing the build up of the by-products of combustion around surrounding homes. Burning tyres are known to emit dioxins and benzene derivatives which have been linked with reproductive impairment and cancer in humans. It is therefore necessary to study these fires and their potential effects on human health. Effective landfill management by the operators is necessary to prevent the occurrence of these harmful fires. This paper attempts to give some insight into landfill fires and their potential health effects using an unsanitary landfill in Lagos, Nigeria as a case study. It calls for the need to construct and operate well-engineered municipal solid waste landfills that are regulated under strict federal and state regulations to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

Abstract:A comparative study of general water quality has been extensively studied in some major rivers of West Java, Indonesia and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Water quality assessment based on physiochemical investigation along with heavy metal concentration in water and sediments is presented. The results indicate that maximum sampling sites in the rivers of Dhaka are severely impaired in comparison with the rivers of West Java. And, the pollution gap in the rivers of Dhaka is evident in respect of the season where pollution in winter is eminent in comparison with rainy seasons. All rivers were severely polluted with NOx, PO43- and Escherichia coli (E-coli). The heavy metal concentration of Al and Mn exceeded whereas, Cu, Zn and Pb were found to be below the international guidelines in most of the sampling points. And, Cd and Fe approached the threshold limit in Dhaka. With the enrichment study, every metal was found predominant in both the Ciliwung and the Cikaniki River; while rivers of Dhaka comprise little enrichment value adequately report noteworthy difference in metal sources along with elevated accumulation trends of metals into the bed sediments. The re-suspension experiment also suggests identical trends of metal swelling into the sediments. High health risks were envisaged due to the presence of toxic mercury in sediments (0.83-1.07 μg/g) of the Cikaniki River and paddy samples (0.08 μg/g ) close to the baseline value of Indonesia. Based on the results, it is evident that metal, organic and fecal pollution in the rivers of West Java and Dhaka are in somewhat dreadful condition that requires immediate remediation step.

Abstract:Vegetables provide the human body with the essential bioavailable trace elements, and a constant supply of these various elements is necessary and highly recommended for daily life. Minor elements such as Fe as well as trace elements such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer in 8 different species of vegetables from the local markets in and around the city of Shillong, Meghalaya, India. The different vegetables were Diplazium esculentum (Fern), Curcuma longa (Tumeric), Beta Vulgaris (Beet), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Oenanthe javanica, Houttuynia cordata, Mentha asiatica (asian mint), Coriandrum sativum (Coriandar), Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) and Lactuca sativa (Lettuce). The results reveal that the different element concentrations of each vegetable depend upon the selective uptake of the elements by the plant. The element concentrations of these vegetables were within safety baseline levels for human consumption.

Abstract:In an effort to characterize leachate and evaluate its toxicity, physico-chemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed in leachate obtained from an unlined municipal solid waste landfill. Clarias gariepinus were exposed to it and its LC50 and histopathological effects on the liver were determined. Heavy metals, Cd (8.8mg/l), Pb (10.2mg/l), Zn (9.0mg/l), and Fe (6.5mg/l) were observed in the leachate. A high population of Enterobacteriaceae (1.26 x 105 ± 37264 CFU/ml) was also detected. Behavioural responses in the form of erratic swimming and uncoordinated opercula movements as well as mortality were observed in the exposed fishes. The 96hr median lethal concentration LC50 of the test leachate was 2.353%. Histopathological lesions in form of glycogen vacuolation were observed in the liver of fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of 0.19%, 0.39% and 0.78% of the test leachate. These observations are of prime health concern because there is no containment system for the leachate generated from the study site. The LC50 value obtained from the acute toxicity study indicates that the leachate is toxic and could be of assistance in the assessment of the hazardous effects of landfill leachate discharged into the environment. The observation of glycogen vacuolation emphasizes its usefulness as a histopathological biomarker of response to landfill leachate exposure. This is important for the monitoring of the environmental safety of landfills in a bid to protect wildlife, human health and the environment.

Abstract:Distribution, mobility and toxicity of heavy metals in the environment depend on the association form in the solid phase to which they are bound. Sequential extraction techniques used to obtain suitable information about heavy metals bounding form and eco- toxicity. In this work, the speciation of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, and Pb), individual metal contamination factor (Cf) and mobility of metals from sewage sludge hills to surrounding ecosystem were conducted. An optimized two sequential extraction (Tessier and BCR) and single extraction procedures for sewage sludge were used. Sewage sludge samples were collected from sludge hills near a wastewater treatment plant at Kema region Aswan. The percentage of each metal as residual, oxidizable, reducible and exchangeable form was calculated. The results revealed that on the basis of heavy metals speciation, the individual contamination factor values of Cd and Co have the highest mobility (Cf: 27.38 and 36.36, respectively) and susceptibility to be released from the sludge, while Pb and Cu have the lowest mobility (Cf 2.25 and1.39, respectively). This study provides valuable information on the mobility of metals in sludge and helps in predicting their behaviour to the ecosystem.

Abstract:The effect of two fungicides, propiconazole and chlorothalonil on the protease and urease activity were studied in two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) soils. The activity of urease, in terms of ammonia formed from urea was more pronounced in soil samples treated with 5.0 kg ha-1 of the propiconazole and chlorothalonil in both laterite and vertisol soils. Similarly, the activity of protease, (in terms of tyrosine equivalents formed from casein) was enhanced more in soil samples, treated with 5.0 kg ha-1 of the propiconazole and chlorothalonil, but higher concentrations of 7.5 and 10 kg ha-1 of these fungicides were toxic to urease and protease activity in both soils. The activity of urease and protease was decreased gradually on prolonged period of incubation up to 30 and 40 days.

Abstract:Groundwater is the only available potable source of water for drinking, sanitation and other uses in this region of Thar Desert of India. The intention of this study was to assess the toxicity of fluoride in groundwater and to identify major factors controlling its occurrence. A total of 66 water samples were collected and analyzed from the study area. The analyzed water quality parameters formed the attribute database for statistical and GIS analysis. Chemometric analysis of the water quality parameters was done using factor analysis and principal component analysis to identify the major factors controlling the fluoride enrichment. Piper diagram was used to identify geochemical facies of groundwater samples and to determine the role of water facies for fluoride enrichment in the region. The principal component analysis of the water quality parameters resulted in three major factors which explained 73.65% of the total variance. The factors suggest that mineral dissolution, evaporation, reducing environment and ion exchange are the major processes controlling fluoride hydro-geochemistry. The study concludes that the water is not potable in most of the locations due to high fluoride concentration exceeding the limits as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water.

Abstract:Among commodity products in the world, oil is the mostly transported. Most of the oil flowing in the world is carried on specific ships, tankers. They can easily deliver large quantities of -either crude or refined -oil to places where they are needed, often following the same routes. The shipping of these products is done under conditions of strict security provided by the oil companies, ship-owners who have the ships and the states that register them.
Oil tankers can have very different sizes. They are classified according to their transport capacity measured in tones of crude. Thus, in response to a constantly increasing demand, the oil freight (transportation of crude but also fuel, fuel or basic products for the petrochemical industry) continues to grow. Among commodity products in the world, oil is the mostly transported. Most of the oil flowing in the world is carried on specific ships, tankers. They can easily deliver large quantities of -either crude or refined -oil to places where they are needed, often following the same routes. The shipping of these products is done under conditions of strict security provided by the oil companies, ship-owners who have the ships and the states that register them.
Energy consumption by shipping is the source of many pollutants. Environmental risks associated with exporting and shipping of oil in particular can be very important. The resulting effects are diverse and often complex. For some of them (impacts on the built environment, visibility, vegetation: wildlife, health) it is however possible to give some quantification in physical terms. The monetary value of these effects can refer to their economic cost or to a "contingent valuation", and it raises some methodological difficulties. Today the risk is financial, social, physical, environmental and human. The shipping company must manage after identifying risks and knowing how to transfer them to insurers, sovereign states, take offs to the maritime adventure, as the sea still remains a wild world.
Worldwide, operators require the highest levels ever of environmental and social performance of industry.

Abstract:Coral assessment and distribution have been studied at some sites representing the Egyptian Red Sea coast from north Hurghada with 5km to Shalateen illustrating the most important factors that affect the coral distribution and abundance at the selected sites. The percentage cover of the coral reef community was estimated at each locality by using the standard method (the line intercept transect). During the present investigation, 68 coral species were recorded at seven coastal sites along the Egyptian Red Sea; forty-nine species of them were hard corals and the other 19 species were soft corals. North Hurghada site (NIOF) recorded the least cover of the living coral (66.23%) while Abu-Dabab area recorded the maximum coverage percent (91.50%). In spite of the fact that NIOF site recorded the least cover, it measured the maximum species diversity (3.54) and the maximum recorded number of species (48 species), Shalateen recorded the least diversity (1.97) and the least number of species (24 species). Pocillopora damicornis recorded the highest coverage percent of the hard corals (15.6%) at El Sharm El-Bahari, and Sarcophyton glaucum recorded the highest soft corals (10.18%) at North Qula'an. Some environmental, biological interaction and anthropogenic activities were the main controlling factors of coral distribution at the studied areas such as overfishing, tourism developments, as well as petroleum and phosphate production, Sedimentation processes, bottom topography and geomorphology.